Build Your Own Vampire Project - Period 1 #TeamEdward

Team Name: #Team Edward	Class Period: 1
Team Members: Matthew Belzer, Carolyn Zhu, Christopher Hoek, Matthew Vaysfeld, Nicholas Tesoriero

Vampire’s Ethnicity: Ghanan/Togoan

Justification: In Ewe folklore (The Ewe people preside in current day Ghana and Togo), the adze is a vampiric being that often takes the shape of a firefly. The adze vampire feeds on coconut water, palm oil, and of course, blood. This type of vampire also targets children. “Adze African Vampire.” VampireUnderworld.com, Vampireunderworld.com, 2014,            https://vampireunderworld.com/african-vampires/adze/

Vampire’s Abilities: The ability to turn into a firefly

Justification: The adze vampire has one of the most unique shapeshifting abilities in all of vampire folklore. This vampire takes the form of a firefly to sneak through locks and subsequently feed on children. If captured the adze vampire will return back to its human form. “Adze African Vampire.” VampireUnderworld.com, Vampireunderworld.com, 2014,          https://vampireunderworld.com/african-vampires/adze

Vampire’s Weakness(es): Weakness to sunlight and fire. If dirt/sand is thrown into the mouth of the vampire, the vampire dies. The vampire is very weak to glass weapons.

Justification: In the elder scrolls, vampires take extra fire damage and take damage in the sunlight. In Jewish folklore, if you put dirt into the mouth of a vampire, then it won’t become a vampire. We modified this to make it much easier to take down. Since heating sand turns it into glass, we combined two of its weaknesses (sand and fire). “Vampire (Skyrim).” Elder Scrolls, Fandom, elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Vampire_(Skyrim). Whitney. “Estrie.” Vampires, Vampire Underworld, 29 Apr. 2012,      vampireunderworld.com/middle-eastern-vampires/estrie/.

Vampire’s Reproduction: After a period of 6 days of acquiring a disease called Vampiris Maximus from being bitten by a rare, South American snake, the victim becomes a vampire.

Justification: In Skyrim, 3 days after acquiring a disease, the victim becomes a vampire. I used six days because 666 is the number of the devil. In the Mapuche mythology in Chile, there was a blood-sucking snake. “Peuchen.” Cryptid Wiki, Fandom, cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Peuchen. “Vampire (Skyrim).” Elder Scrolls, Fandom, elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Vampire_(Skyrim).

Vampire’s Camouflage: The ability to bend light and go invisible

Justification: There is an animal that is unique called the vampire squid which resembles a vampire due to its color and having looking like it had a cape. This specific squid uses light in order to ward of predators and hide itself. Since invisibility is just the bending of light, the vampire will be able to use an ability similar to the vampire squid and be able to bend light to his will and go invisible, providing the ultimate camouflage “Vampire Squid.” Oceana, oceana.org/marine-life/cephalopods-crustaceans-other-shellfish/vampire-squid. Graham-Rowe, Duncan. “How to Make an Object Invisible.” MIT Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 22 Oct. 2012, www.technologyreview.com/s/407677/how-to-make-an- object-invisible/.

Vampire’s Home: Caves

Justification: Many bats in Ghana (the vampires place of origin) live in caves such as Shai Hills and Buoyem Caves. Since vampires need a place away from the sunlight caves would be the perfect place for the vampire to rest and call his home. Wilson, Steven A. “Wildlife of Ghana.” Wildlife Ghana - Easy Track Ghana, www.easytrackghana.com/tour-ghana_wildlife.php.

Vampire’s Preferences: Rare Blood Types

Justification: Similar to humans, vampires get bored of having the same meal, and since about 40% of the population has O+ blood, they’re usually the last option a vampire will seek out. AB- is the rarest blood type, and therefore the most valuable to a vampire, sort of like a fine cut of meat to humans. Different blood types can give the vampires more power and energy than other, with B- being the most effective, due to its rarity. Remington, Xavier. “Do Vampires Prefer A Certain Type Of Human Blood?” Ask Mystic Investigations, 23 Feb. 2019, mysticinvestigations.com/paranormal/do-vampires-prefer-a- certain-type-of-blood/.

Vampire’s Companions: Werewolf

Justification: As an immortal being, vampires prefer to partner up with other immortal beings, so their friends aren’t constantly dying. The werewolf makes a great companion for vampires, due to their immortality as well as their amazing sense of smell. They are able to cover the vampires’ weaknesses as well as keep the lonely vampire sane. “Wayne Werewolf.” Hotel Transylvania Wiki, hoteltransylvania.fandom.com/wiki/Wayne.

Vampire’s Favorite Foods: Our vampire only likes to drink blood as regular human food to him taste like dirt. However, he is a vegan vampire, meaning he only drinks from animals such as lions and deers. His favorite would be goats.

Justification: According to Twilight, Edward Cullen takes offense to the taste of human food. The Cullen family are actually all vegetarian vampires and Edward's personal favorite are the mountain lions he hunts. Dobbins, Amanda. “A Crash Course on the Vampire Rules in Breaking Dawn - Part 2.” Vulture, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2012, www.vulture.com/2012/11/guide-to-the-vampire-rules-in-breaking- dawn-2.html.